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STATEMENT OF NEED 20 POIntS <br />HPRP funds are available for a limited type of homeless person. Based on your agency's <br />experience, identify the following: <br />^ Identify and describe existing and projected needs for proposed program in Santa Ana. <br />^ Describe methods and data sources used to identify and verify the need for this program in Santa <br />Ana. <br />Limit Response to 1,250 Words <br />Homelessness in Orange County is not always obvious. Many of the 3,600 individuals estimated <br />to be homeless each night in the county are able to maintain jobs, but are unable to buy or rent <br />a home due to rising prices. Despite the housing slowdown, the median home price in Orange <br />County remains high, at $434,000 (February 2009). The average rental price throughout the <br />County is currently about $1,550 a month (4th Quarter 2008). In order for this rent to be <br />affordable (defined by the State of CA as no more than 30% of net pay) an individual would <br />need to make over $29.80 an hour or approximately $62,000 a year. Since 10.2% of County <br />residents fall below the federal poverty line ($21,027 for a family of four) and approximately 37% <br />of households earn less than $35,000 per year, many Orange County families cannot afford the <br />average rental price, much less save money to purchase a home. <br />Consequently, many individuals, as well as families with children, are forced live in cars, parks, <br />motels, and in homeless shelters. As required by the US Department of Housing and Urban <br />Development (HUD), the County estimates the number of homeless individuals via a biannual <br />Point-In-Time Count and Annual Homeless Needs Assessment survey. These surveys provide <br />a snapshot of the County's homeless; however, they do not provide ongoing comprehensive <br />data such as: an unduplicated count of the homeless, the demographics of homeless and at risk <br />individuals and families, how many shelter beds are available, how many persons are seeking <br />shelter or are receiving supportive services like rent assistance, meals, or job training on a <br />regional basis. To fill this need, OC Partnership is working to expand the Client Management <br />Information System, or CMIS, to include regularly updated data from all homeless service <br />providers in Orange County. Further, OC Partnership seeks to engage non-shelter providers as <br />many homeless do not use the shelter system but otherwise still need homeless service <br />intervention to move toward stability. Participation in this database will allow for the collection <br />and analysis of region-wide data that can be used to identify gaps and trends, measure <br />success, guide strategic planning, policy and resource distribution, and meet HUD guidelines. <br />In addition to homeless shelter providers, Orange County's Continuum of Care includes <br />hundreds of individual agencies, nonprofits, religious organizations and service groups that <br />provide assistance and safety net services. Orange County is lucky to have these <br />organizations, but there is very little information sharing and collaboration between them. This <br />system of silos leaves gaps, which result in inefficient use of funds and resources, missed <br />opportunities for client intervention, duplication, and increased homelessness. OC Partnership <br />works to break down these silos by providing Continuum of Care providers with a variety of <br />other support and technical assistance. <br />RFP HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION & RAPID RE-HOUSING SERVICES 6/11/09 <br />8 <br />